USCIS News & Policy Updates (Page 2)

As of November 2026, families planning a U.S. birth under a visitor visa or a surrogacy arrangement face new uncertainty over the birthright citizenship executive order signed by President Trump. On Aug. 6, 2026, Trump signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship for children born to certain non-citizen parents, according to the White House fact sheet. The orders target birth tourism and surrogacy cases, and a federal court has temporarily blocked the birthright citizenship order, so check where the litigation currently stands before you make plans. This article explains what changed, who the orders affect, and what families...

Starting September 15, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will only accept the new 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765. USCIS confirmed the i-539 i-765 new form edition rule in a newsroom alert, and USCIS is offering no grace period for outdated paperwork. Houston's Vega & Associates tracks USCIS filing changes like this so clients avoid needless rejections. Form I-539 covers change or extension of status. Form I-765 covers work permits. Here's what changed, who it affects, and what to do before the deadline. 1. What Changed: I-539 I-765 New Form Edition 2. Who Is Affected by...

As of August 5, 2026, applicants can no longer count on a second chance to fix a weak filing. Effective August 5, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reversed its prior practice and adopted what many in the field now call the USCIS deny without RFE policy. In most cases, officers can deny green card, work permit, and citizenship cases outright, with no Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny first. USCIS announced the change in a newsroom alert this month, and Vega & Associates has confirmed the practical stakes for our clients. This is not a...

Breaking: On June 8, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts vacated the H-1B $100,000 fee in its entirety, calling it an unlawful tax. Four days later, the court stayed its own ruling while the government appeals to the First Circuit. As of June 23, 2026, the fee is still being collected. Employers filing consular processing petitions must continue to pay until further notice — but the fee could disappear without advance warning if the appellate court lifts the stay. This guide covers every aspect of the H-1B $100,000 fee: who owes it, who is exempt, how to pay, the full...